Display device for photographs and the like

ABSTRACT

A hollow transparent body defined by a plurality of angularly related interconnected transparent panels. The panels form two separate U-shaped sections which slidably interlock about a display item or items for viewing through the transparent panels. The formed unit is adapted to mount on a stand with a pair of opposed corners vertically oriented, whereby a full viewing of all faces of the unit can be effected by a rotation thereof.

[ Nov. 27, 1973 by a plurality of transparent panels. U-shaped sections 2,572,454 10/1951 Down et al. 2,797,512 7/1957 Sieve..... 3,561,146 2/1971 Dembar...... 3,031,784 5/1962 Stein... 1,771,126 7/1930 Kelsea...................................

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 944,484 12/1948 Primary ExaminerR0bert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerWencesla0 J. Contreras AttorneyJoseph Zallen [57] ABSTRACT A hollow transparent body defined angularly related interconnected The panels form two separate Boston, Mass.

G09f 1/12 40/138, 125 H, 159, 46/24 Marshall C. Schneider, Newton Centre, Mass [73] Assignee: Charles D. Burns Co.,

[22] Filed:

AND THE LIKE Mar. 23, 1971 References Cited United States Patent 1 Schneider DISPLAY DEVICE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS [75] Inventor:

[21] Appl. No.: 127,279

[51] Int.

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Marshall C. Schneider DISPLAY DEVICE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE LIKE The invention herein is concerned with display devices, and more particularly relates to such a device wherein an item or items to be displayed are completely sealed within a hollow transparent unit exposing the item or items, whether they be photographs, pictures, coins, medals, or the like, about all sides thereof.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a unique display device which is in the nature of a geometric figure, normally a cube, and presents a plurality of flat viewing panels which can be used so as to present all sides of a single contained item, or enable a selective veiwing of multiple items.

Another highly significant object of the instant invention is to provide a viewing unit which is so constructed as to be selectively opened to enable a mounting of the items within the hollow exterior thereof and, when closed, give the appearance of a sealed unit, presenting no exposed edges, catches, or the like.

Other significant objects of the invention include the provision of a display device wherein the item or items to be displayed are maintained in a completely protected environment, the provision of a display unit which can be utilized in conjunction with a variety of stands so as to achieve maximum exposure of all of the faces thereof, and the provision of a uniquely constructed unit which can be made in various sizes while retaining the basic structurally novel features.

The objects sought in the instant invention are achieved through the provision of a hollow geometric shape formed basically of two sections, each comprising a plurality of rigidly interconnected angularly. related panels. The two sections open so as to receive the item or items to be displayed and slidably interlock so as to confine and seal the items therein. The display unit mounts on an appropriate support base, normally by means of a mounting stem projecting from one corner of the assembled unit so as to provide for an angular orientation thereof whereby a sequential display of allof the faces thereof can be effected.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the basic display unit of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display unit with the two sections thereof moved slightly apart;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the display unit illustrating all of the components thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the assembled display unit;

FIG. 5 illustrates the display form of base;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 detail the structure of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified mounting stem usable with the base of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 illustrates another form of base;

FIGS. 1 l and 12 illustrate another manner of mounting the display unit on a base;

unit mounted on one FIGS. l3, l4 and 15 illustrate the display unit, alone or in multiple arrangements, mounted on flexible support stems;

FIGS. 16 and 17 detail the support stern engagement with the display unit and the associated mounting base;

FIG. 18 illustrates a further mounting arrangement for the display unit, wherein the unit is engaged at two opposed points; I

FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 illustrate various display unit engaging means to be utilized in conjunction with the support of FIG. 18;

' FIG. 22 illustrates a suspended form of display unit mount; and

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate various modes of movably affixing a means of suspending the display unit below any supporting device.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 30 is used to generally designate the basic display unit of the instant invention. This display unit can be of any reasonably multi-facet geometric shape. However, the preferred shape will be that of a cube, and this cube shape will be used hereinafter to detail the features of the invention.

The cubic display unit 30 is formed in two duplicate sections 32. Each of the sections 32 consists of three equal size transparent panels 34 orientated at right angles toeach other so as to define a U-shaped or channel-shaped configuration. The two legs or parallel side panels 34 of each of the sections 32 incline slightly toward each other, on the order of 2, inward from the base panel. Further, the exposed peripheral edges of all of the panels 34 of each section 32 are inwardly beveled, as at 36. This bevel, assuming the cubic configuration of the display unit of the drawings, is at 45 whereby, upon an assembly of the two sections 32, right angular and visually indistinguishable sliding joints will be provided.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the sections 32 are assembled by first orientating the sections in inwardly facing relation to each other and rotated from each other, after which the sections 32 can be slid inwardly into overlapped engagement with the corresponding beveled edges 36 sliding on each other until a complete closing of the unit is achieved. Upon a complete intemesting of the sections 32, the periphery of each section 32 mates with and seats directly against the complete peirphery of the second section with the beveled nature of these edges 36 providing a smooth right angular joint indistinguishable from the rigid angular comers between the individual panels 34 of each section 32, which rigid comers are incidentally formed by beveling the corresponding panel edges and bonding these beveled edges together in any suitable manner.

A positive frictional interlock is provided between the two sections 32 in that the interengagement between the sections 32 requires a slight outward flexing of the side panels 34 of each section 32 which, as previously indicated, converge at approximately a 2 angle toward each other. The nature of the material of the panels 34 enables this slight flexing, such panels preferably being of an appropriate transparent plastic material.

The display unit 30 can be utilized to mount and display any appropriate item capable of being received therein. For purposes of illustration, the cube unit 30 has been presented as a photograph mount utilized as a means for mounting six photographs or pictures. In order to properly position the pictures, generally designated by reference numeral 38, an internal positioning block 40 is providedv The block 40, constructed of any appropriate material such as cardboard, conforms to the inner configuration of the unit 30 and incorporates faces spaced sufiiciently inward from the inner surfaces of the unit panels 34 for an accommodation of the photographs or pictures 38 in a manner contemplated so as to properly position and retain the individual pictures 38. If deemed desirable, appropriate picture edge receiving slits 42 can be provided through the faces of the block 40. Were the unit 30 to be utilized as a means for mounting and displaying coins, the positioning block 40 could incorporate coin receiving recesses 44 as suggested in FIG. 3. Likewise, the block 40 can be constructed of a resilient material so as to seat and locate irregularly shaped objects. As will be appreciated, the nature of the mounting block can vary as required in accordance with the particular item to be positioned and displayed within the unit 30.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the unit 30 can be utilized so as to permanently retain and seal items should such be desired. Under these circumstances, once the item is positioned between the unit sections 32 and the sections 30 assembled, the meeting edges 36 thereof can be cemented, sealed or permanently interlocked in any other appropriate manner. In addition, only selected ones of the panels 34 need be transparent should only a selective viewing of the interior of the unit 30 be desired.

The unit 30 is particularly adapted to be mounted in an angular orientation with a pair of opposed comers vertically aligned so as to achieve maximum visibility of all of the faces thereof. .FIGS. through 8 illustrate one manner of mounting wherein a vertically depending stem or stud 46 is utilized. This stud 46 has a reduced pin-like upper end portion 48 which is affixed to the end corner defined between a pair of adjacent panels 34 of one of the sections 32 and projects outwardly at an angle therefrom, normally on a line which bisects the angles defined by the adjoining panel edges. This reduced end portion 48 can be affixed in any appropriate manner, such as by a direct molding thereof into the panels 34, by the drilling of a hole and a cementing of the end portion 48 therein, or by an appropriate threaded interlock. The projecting portion 50 of the stem or stud 46 is enlarged and cylindrically configured for rotational reception within' a socket 52 defined within an enlarged block-like support base 54 whereby a rotational manipulation of the unit 30 is possible so as to facilitate a viewing of all of the faces thereof. It will of course be appreciated that the mounting of the stud 46 in no way interferes with the releasable sliding interlock between the associated sections 32.

FIG. 9 illustrates a slightly modified form of stud 56 wherein engagement with the unit section 32 is provided through an upwardly directed angular seat 58 internally configured so as to correspond with the angularly related faces of both the section 32 which is to be rigidly adhered thereto and the second section 32 which is to slidably interlock with the first section 32 and releasably seat within the stud seat 58.

FIG. illustrates the stud carrying unit of FIGS. 5 through 9 rotatably affixed to the upper end of an elongated stem or pedestal 60 as opposed to the flat low base 54. The stem 60 is in turn affixed to an enlarged base 62 which provides the desired stability therefor. Incidentally, it will be appreciated that using the stud 46, an appearance of a point balanced cube is achieved producing, in addition to a multiple facet display container, an unusual decorative item in itself.

FIGS. 11 and 12 present yet another means of supporting the display unit 30, such comprising the provision of a corner receiving triangular seat 64 defined directly within the upper end of the base or support stem or column 60, the display unit merely seating therein in a manner which will be readily appreciated from the drawings.

With reference to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, it will be noted that single, double and triple display units 30 have been illustrated as associated with a common base. In each instance, each of the display units has a mounting stem which consists of an elongated flexible rod 66. The rod 66, in each instance, has, as suggested in FIG. 16, the upper end thereof rigidly interlocked within the corner between a pair of adjacent panels 34 on one of the assiciated unit sections 32, with the lower end thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 17, rigidly affixed to and embedded within an enlarged support base 68. The nature of the stem or rod 66 is to be such so as to slightly flex under the load of the superimposed display unit 30 and smoothly sway or oscillate upon the introduction of a lateral force thereto, whether by an actual push on the associated unit 30 or by a breeze stirring the air thereabout. When multiple units are utilized, as in FIGS. 14 and 15, contact therebetween will produce a clicking noise and result in a movement of all of the units. It will also be appreciated that the flexible nature of the stem 16 allows one to grasp the associated display unit and maniuplate it, within certain ranges so as to easily view all of the faces thereof.

with reference to FIG. 18, the support structure illustrated therein includes a flat support base 70 on which any appropriately configured mounting member 72 is attached, the only limitation to the shape of the member 72 being that it incorporates a pair of opposed points which rotatably engage a pair of opposed corners of the unit 30 in a manner whereby a rotation of the unit 30 is possible. The mounting member 72 has been presented in FIG. 18 as being of a simple arcuate configuration.

FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 illustrate various ways of engaging the opposed corners of the unit 30 for rotational mounting thereof. Such mountings can consist of a simple aperture 74 through the opposed portions of the member 72 as in FIGS. 19, a socket 76 formed directly from the material of the member 72 as in FIGS. 20, or a separate socket-forming or seat-forming member 78 affixed to the member 72 as suggested in FIG. 21. In those instances wherein rotation is desired, the sockets of FIGS. 20 and 21 will be conical. However, if rotation is not desired, such sockets can be configured so as to directly correspond with the angular configuration of the corners.

With reference to FIGS. 22, it will be noted that the display unit 20 is also uniquely adapted to be suspended from a single overhead point, the unit 30 preferably being rotatable in such an arrangement. The display unit 30 can be suspended from the upper end of any artistically configured base mounted support member 80. FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrated alternate ways to suspend the unit 30. In FIG. 23, a stem 82 is fixed to and projects from a comer of the unit 30 and is rotatably received through the overlying portion of the support member 80. The stem is rotatable relative to the support member 80 and includes an enlarged head 84 in the upper end thereof so as to retain it in position. ln FIG. 24, the stem is in the nature of an eye 86 which is releasably received within a depending hook 88 on the support member 80. This proivsion of an eye or loop 86 on the stem can also be utilized for a suspension of the display unit 30 from a cord, chain or wire should it be desired to suspend the unit 30 in the manner of a mobile, from a Christmas tree, or from any appropriate overhead structure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique display unit has been defined, incorporating a sealed construction which presents multiple viewing panels and combines with a plurality of unusual mounting structures which provide maximum visibility of the various faces thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A display device for photographs and the like comprising in combination a hollow, hexahedron-shaped device 30 having a plurality of transparent walls and a slightly smaller similar shaped support 40 spaced within said device to display photographs and the like adjacent the interior surface of said transparent walls; said device comprising two slidably engageable detachable U-shaped sections (32); each section including three walls (36), (32), (34) permanently attached contiguously and at right angles and having edge bevelling so that said two sections when facing each other at a 90 rotation slide together to form the assembled device with visually indistinguisable joints.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein each section has the exposed edges of the associated walls beveled at approximately 45 to mate with the exposed edges on the second section.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein all of the walls are transparent.

4. The device of claim 3 including a mounting stem engaged with one section at one end corner defined between a pair of panels thereof, said stem projecting outwardly from said corner.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said stem comprises an elongated flexible member having the remote end fixed to a stable base whereby an oscillating movement of the display unit can be effected.

6. The device of claim 5 including a multiple duplicate flexible member supported units associated with a single base.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said stem comprises a short rigid stub, a stable base, said base rotatably re ceiving said stub for a rotational adjustment of said unit.

'8. The device of claim 7 wherein said stem includes a seat defined at the panel end thereof, said seat receiving a corner of the unit.

.member, said support member extending about said display unit and therebelow, and a stable base associated with said support member.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said stem is rotatably engaged with said overhead support.

13. The device of claim 3 including a generally arcuate support member encircling said display unit and engaged with a pair of opposed corners thereof to suspend said display unit therebetween. 

1. A display device for photographs and the like comprising in combination a hollow, hexahedron-shaped device 30 having a plurality of transparent walls and a slightly smaller similar shaped support 40 spaced within said device to display photographs and the like adjacent the interior surface of said transparent walls; said device comprising two slidably engageable detachable U-shaped sections (32); each section including three walls (36), (32), (34) permanently attached contiguously and at right angles and having edge bevelling so that said two sections when facing each other at a 90* rotation slide together to form the assembled device with visually indistinguisable joints.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein each section has the exposed edges of the associated walls beveled at approximately 45* to mate with the exposed edges on the second section.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein all of the walls are transparent.
 4. The device of claim 3 including a mounting stem engaged with one section at one end corner defined between a pair of panels thereof, said stem projecting outwardly from said corner.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said stem comprises an elongated flexible member having the remote end fixed to a stable base whereby an oscillating movement of the display unit can be effected.
 6. The device of claim 5 including a multiple duplicate flexible member supported units associated with a single base.
 7. The device of claim 4 wherein said stem comprises a short rigid stub, a stable base, said base rotatably receiving said stub for a rotational adjustment of said unit.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said stem includes a seat defined at the panel end thereof, said seat receiving a corner of the unit.
 9. The device of claim 4 wherein said stem comprises a vertically elongated pedestal, said pedestal having an angular seat defined in the upper end thereof, said seat receiving said unit.
 10. The device of claim 4 wherein said stem engages an overhead support for a suspension of the display unit therefrom.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said overhead support comprises an elevated portion of a support member, said support member extending about said display unit and therebelow, and a stable base associated with said support member.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said stem is rotatably engaged with said overhead support.
 13. The device of claim 3 including a generally arcuate support member encircling said display unit and engaged with a pair of opposed corners thereof to suspend said display unit therebetween. 